How I Evaluate the Safety of a Space

SAFE SPACES EVALUATION METHOD

Troy Alan Cox
6/13/2026

I'm am studying what is considered a safe location, architecture, design and requirement to classify a destination as safe for the human nervous system. 
On my self guided trip to Ireland I am visiting out of the way, non tourist destinations. Before I visit each location I'm studying I am using a scientific method I've developed to evaluate their safety and my experience. 
My evaluation consists of a series of steps beginning before entering the building up until a half hour after I leave the space or location. 
Here is the method I've developed for evaluation. 

1. The Approach. 

As I approach a location I'm scanning for safety clues. I'm noticing the architecture of the entrance.  How is traffic directed towards the front of the structure? Is there clear demarcation indicating the threshold from the exterior to the interior of the space? As I approach I observe if it feels welcoming and safe or cold and austere. Is there a gatekeeper or a procedure one has to complete before entering or is there easy access? Standing outside of the entrance what feeling do I experience? Does it feel welcoming or threatening?
Pausing before entering I stop to consider what energy I may be encountering in my own personal experience unique to my perceptions as a highly sensitive person.

2. The Threshold

Once entering the building or space do I immediately feel on alert or is the reception calming and soothing to my nervous system? After crossing the threshold are there clear directions of where to travel to next? I try to notice if I'm being drawn in any direction whether straight ahead by something in the horizon or to either side of the entrance. If it's possible I stop just inside of the door or threshold and observe everything that's immediately arriving at my senses. Are there colors that are welcoming or foreboding? Does my nervous system feel drawn in to safety and do I take a deep breath and relax or am I immediately in a state of confusion or feeling lost are things that I'm looking for. 
Does the designed space have anywhere to land such as a reception desk or seating for someone to stop before proceeding further I ask myself. 

I stopped to consider what I might have felt in my sensory system once I crossed into the space. I want to know if my nervous system shifts from sympathetic to parasympathetic right away or if I have to stay on alert to navigate the environment. This is dictated by the lighting, the action of others in the space, the ceiling height or the width of the space. I immediately noticed what colors I'm confronted with, smells or sounds.

3. The First Body Signal

As I stand in the entrance or begin to proceed into the environment I become conscious of how I'm being stimulated through sensory inputs. Am I feeling calm welcoming and inviting or the converse? What am I feeling on my skin and how is my body physically reacting to the space in the form of my shoulders rising and resistance are falling are things that I'm noticing.

4. Orientation

Once I began to enter the space deeper I'm noticing if there is directional navigation clearly distinguished. I paused to notice if I'm drawn instinctually in one direction or another. Is there a sound calling to me drawing me towards a direction or perhaps a crowd of other people or a visual display and or professional lighting or natural lighting guiding me is something I'm contemplating as I stand within the threshold.
If the body feels naturally lead then one feels safe if the body feels lost or confused then one is in defense mode.

5. Sensory Load

Personally the first sense that I respond to is sound. I notice if it is loud and chaotic like a gymnasium full of children at a day camp or calm and serene like a walk in nature. I pick up on sounds off in the distant in the horizon or in the four corners and I determine what the activity of the space is. 
The second sense is usually smell for me. What is the smell of the place that I am entering I ask myself as smell is a memory trigger. I wonder to myself if the space smells like somewhere else I've been or somewhere familiar or if it has a distinct smell of its own. 
And lastly I rely on my sight. Lighting can be a huge factor in the perception of the safety of a place but so can architecture. Sight is obvious as a sensory input so it's usually the only sense that has been intentionally put in place since humans rely on visual cuing so heavily. I don't want to depend on what I see as it may have been placed there on purpose by whoever created the space whether it be an intentionally designed space or nature.

6. Friction Points

I noticed if the space harder is on the nervous system. I'm observing the surface of the material used to see if it is a harsh reflective metallic marble or tile surface or if in nature rock what type of rock and how does it affect the space. I'm observing if there's chaos in the space if there are other people do they know where to gather or is it just people wondering aimlessly through the space. 
If it's a space like a museum or a educational space what might be causing other people to be confused about their part of the space standing in awkward places or blocking entrances. If it's purposefully designed I'm looking for natural elements such as rough hewn stone or light natural colored wood not heavily stained. I'm looking for water elements or air circulation. Is there anything that represents life such as plants or a floor surface that feels earthen?
Before moving further into the space I try to notice where the friction points are and how they might have been redesigned or removed so the space flows naturally. 

7. Recovery Zones

I'm looking for spaces that I can retreat to to feel safe if the environment has created anything overwhelming. I'm looking for a quiet room to enter into off of the main space such as a landing place to retreat from the main activity of the building. In most buildings I immediately know where the restrooms are because most spaces have not been neurologically aware in their design. Some examples of landing spaces are areas off to the side to sit and comfortable environment with live plants or a water feature. Or perhaps a small cafe type area that separate from the rest of the activity. I'm looking for maybe a quiet room in some consciously built places that one could retreat to if they become overwhelmed neurologically by too much stimulation of any of the senses. It's very rare to find what I call a safe space in any public spaces yet. But it is through this type of research and awareness I hope to bring ancient sacred spaces into the modern development of shared spaces.


8. What the Space Was Trying to Do

I do try to keep into consideration what the use of the space was originally intended for as part of my evaluation. If this space was a sacred monastic space does it still meet that function? If it is a museum does it invoke a feeling of quiet observation of the historic or artistic pieces? As a space for children it should have elements of stimulation and entertainment mixed with decompression and relaxation so that children are not constantly on high alert. 
If the space was designed to be a hospice or caretaking facility does it look cold and sterile and like a hospital for the sick and dying or does it have elements of nature and the comfort of home?

I want to know if the space is achieving its original design or if it has change and taken on a life of its own. 

9. What I Would Adjust

If I was able to help this space in any way applying my highly sensitive person awareness what would the three main areas that I could apply some of my experience to improving the environment? 
This is when it is important for me to remember that not all highly sensitive people or people in general for that matter have the same experience. I can make recommendations based on my observations that may or may not benefit others. I ask myself how could I make minor adjustments to the area to help others nervous systems feel safer? 

10. The Exit Test

After I leave the space I go to somewhere neutral and sit for 30 minutes observing my body's reactions to the space. 
The questions I ask myself are: 
What just happened?
What am I feeling? 
What do I need?
What is a major personal experience I had? 

A safe spaces project evaluation is not about whether I like or dislike a space and it is not a online review. I attempt to utilize archaeological, conscious bio-aware design elements, nature and the effect on the central nervous system as my guide. More and more I am finding in professional discussions and awareness of spectrum nervous system intentional, environmental and green space design. This is highly encouraging to me that more people are responding to the idea of creating spaces that are safe for overstimulated humans like myself. I believe looking to the future bio aware space utilization will become more common place. 
My intent is to help create safe spaces and to experience sacred and safe spaces myself through my research. 


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